48
-
INLAND POST
The amount for which a letter is insured must be written by the sender both in words and in figures, at the top of the address side of the cover, thus INSURED FOR DOLLARS ONE HUNDRED $100.
If a letter tendered for insurance does not, in the opinion of the officer of the Post Office to whom it is tendered, fulfil the foregoing conditions as to packing and sealing, it is his duty to refuse to insure it. Nevertheless, the onus of properly enclosing, pack- ing and sealing a letter lies upon the sender, and the Post Office assumes no liability for loss or damage arising from defects which may not be observed at the time of posting. For further information regarding the make-up of insured letters see pages 114 to 115.
COMPENSATION.
Compensation will not exceed the value of the article lost or the amount of damage sustained, and no compensation will be paid in respect of:-
(1) any packet containing a prohibited article ;
(2) any packet which has been accepted without
reserve;
(3) any damage or loss caused by the fault or negligence of the sender, such as failure to provide adequate packing, having regard to the nature of the contents;
(4) any damage to an exceptionally fragile article which from its nature cannot reasonably be expected to travel safely by post, or
(5) when damage or loss arises from tempest, ship- wreck, earthquake, war, or any other cause beyond control. Indirect loss or loss of profit is not taken into consideration.
No claim for compensation will be entertained if made more than a year after the packet was posted: In any claim for loss or damage of contents, the packet should be retained for inspection as nearly as possible in the condition in which it was delivered.
No legal liability to pay compensation in respect of any postal packet for which an insurance fee has been paid attaches to the Postmaster General, either personally, or in his official capacity.